These classic rock albums are turning 50 in 2025...and now I feel ancient!

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WARNING: Prepare for a serious dose of nostalgia - and maybe a touch of existential dread!

With the calendar turning over to a new year, a whole bunch of classic rock albums are hitting the big 5-0. Yeah, that’s right, these albums are turning fifty. Let that sink in for a minute.

I was poking around over on Loudwire, like you do when you want to feel simultaneously informed and incredibly old, and I stumbled upon a list of albums hitting their golden anniversary in 2025. And let me tell you, it’s a doozy.

The Soundtrack to 1975 is Still Rocking Our Faces Off

We’re talking about some seriously legendary stuff here. Albums that shaped the face of rock, defined a generation, and are probably still blasting out of your dad’s car stereo.

For instance, in 1975 we got KISS with their first live album, “Alive!”. These guys weren’t content with just melting faces in the studio, they had to go and conquer the live scene too. They went from playing in front of a handful of fans, to selling out stadiums.

Aerosmith drops “Toys in the Attic” in ‘75. “Walk This Way,” “Sweet Emotion” - those are anthems! Steven Tyler’s voice alone was probably a national treasure.

But wait, there’s more! We’ve got Queen’s “A Night at the Opera” with the iconic single “Bohemian Rhapsody,”. These guys were operating on a whole other level when they dropped this pop/rock masterpiece.

The Deep Cuts That Still Cut Deep

It’s not just the mega-hits, though. 1975 gave us some seriously underrated gems. We got Bob Dylan’s “The Basement Tapes”, Bob Seger’s “Beautiful Loser”, and Thin Lizzy with “Fighting”.

Feeling Old Yet?

Look, I’m not going to lie, seeing these albums turn 50 makes me feel a little bit like I should be yelling at kids to get off my lawn. But it’s also a reminder of the power of great music. These albums have stood the test of time, and they’re still just as awesome today as they were back in 1975.

So, crank up your favorite classic rock record, raise a glass (or a lighter) to these legends, and let’s celebrate 50 years of rock and roll history.

Here for your listening enjoyment, are the Top 5 Albums from 1975 Turning 50, ranked by commercial success, and impact on music:

  • Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here: A monumental album, both critically and commercially.
  • Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffiti: A double album packed with classics.
  • Aerosmith, Toys in the Attic: Brought us “Walk This Way” and “Sweet Emotion.”
  • Queen, A Night at the Opera: “Bohemian Rhapsody” alone secures its place in history.
  • Fleetwood Mac, Fleetwood Mac (The White Album): This self-titled album marked a turning point for the band, with the addition of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham

What are your favorite classic rock albums turning 50 in 2025? Let me know in the comments!

Aaron Schachter

Aaron on 96.9 The Eagle

Aaron is on the air with you for your morning commute Monday through Friday from 6am - 10am on the Eagle. Hopefully he can help you make your workday a breeze to get through with some awesome music!

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